Remodeling & Improvement

Outdoors

Tools

Nothing makes you feel more productive and accomplished than finishing a weekend home improvement project. Just a few hours of work, and you get to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor — satisfaction guaranteed!

One word of caution: While it's tempting to throw your enthusiasm at whatever project sparks your interest the most, don't put more money into your house than the improvement value is worth. The best remodeling/home improvement value for 2014, according to Remodeling Magazine and Realtor Magazine, is replacing your front door. This straightforward project is likely to return 96.6% of its cost in added value to your home.

Need more ideas for weekend projects?

Add Color with Paint

A fresh coat of paint is probably the quickest, easiest, least expensive upgrade you can give any room in your home. Enjoy looking around Pinterest for inspiration, and then make sure you browse for the best painting tools to get the job done efficiently and effectively.

Upgrade Your Faucets

Replacing the fixtures on your sinks, bathtub and shower is a classic do-it-yourself project, even for relatively inexperienced fixer-uppers. New bath and sink faucets are probably the easiest place to start if you haven't done this before. Then, a new kitchen faucet not only sets the tone for your décor but boosts functionality as well — a springy swivel handle will help you rinse out that pasta pot with no fuss at all.

Slip-Proof Your Staircase

Anyone who wears slippers or socks around the house — oh, and the furry friends in your family — know that the dangers of bare staircases can outweigh their beauty. Stay safe and look great with no-skid staircase treads.

Update Light Fixtures

That ugly brass thing hanging in the entry foyer? Yeah, it's time to put the tired ol' boy out to pasture. Try a transitional design that manages to please everyone, or explore classic or contemporary ceiling lighting for an instant update.

Spruce up the Bathroom

Conquer storage issues in your bathroom once and for all by adding a new medicine cabinet and other storage. If you're really feeling adventurous, try out a bidet; full-featured, integrated units can be pricey, but a washlet is inexpensive and easy to install yourself.

Install Hands-Free Entry Locks

Come and go as you please without fumbling with a house key, thanks to a Bluetooth keyless entry system that works via an app on your smartphone. When you keep your smartphone in your pocket or bag, the Kevo system from Kwikset lets you open your lock with a simple touch. (If you don’t have a smartphone, use a special electronic fob on your keychain instead.)